Emmys 2023 Highlights: Shadow and Bone's Enchanting Rotoscoping Work by Scanline VFX
In the magical world of Shadow and Bone, the visual effects were a spectacle to behold, and a significant part of that was the work done by Scanline VFX.
Charan Mapatuna, the Head of Roto/Paint for North America at Scanline VFX for Shadow and Bone, led a team that handled some of the show's most impressive visual effects. One such effect was the Fold, a dense cloud of magical fog filled with monsters and lightning. The destruction of the Fold by Alina was a significant undertaking for Scanline VFX's FX team, requiring careful planning and execution.
The team heavily utilized Silhouette for roto work on various aspects of the show, including simple set roto, character rotos, and long-range practical ship roto with sailing wires. Rachel Ulicny, the Rotopaint Lead at Scanline VFX for Shadow and Bone, was particularly proud of the complex ship shots, which required intricate roto work and resulted in a visually stunning final output. Silhouette was also used for paint tasks to remove sailing wires from ship shots, which were particularly challenging due to their long frame ranges and changing perspectives.
In addition to the Fold, Scanline VFX represented Alina's sun-summoning magical powers, adding another layer of fantasy to the series. The design, construction, and integration of several digital environment sets, including the Ravkan countryside and the First Army Fortress castle, were also part of Scanline VFX's work on Shadow and Bone.
Adam Balentine, VFX Supervisor for Scanline VFX's work on Shadow and Bone, was proud of the team's ability to keep the fantastical, magical effects grounded in reality, ensuring they appeared photoreal. This dedication to realism paid off, as the team was Emmy-nominated for Outstanding Special Visual Effects for their work on Shadow and Bone (Season 2).
The work done by Scanline VFX on Shadow and Bone showcases the team's skill and dedication to creating visually stunning, realistic visual effects, adding another layer of magic to Netflix's adaptation of Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse.
Technology played a crucial role in bringing the magical world of Shadow and Bone to life, with Scanline VFX leveraging advanced gadgets for their visual effects work. Charan Mapatuna's team, for instance, used Silhouette for intricate roto work on various aspects, such as removing sailing wires from ship shots.
